Colwell Cut Viaduct facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Colwell Cut Viaduct
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Colwell Cut Viaduct, 1982
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Legislative Route 66 over the Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad southwest of Seminole, Mahoning Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1922 |
| Built by | Concrete Steel Bridge Co. |
| Architectural style | Open-spandrel arch |
| MPS | Highway Bridges Owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000796 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1988 |
The Colwell Cut Viaduct, also known as Hogback Hill Bridge, is a special kind of bridge. It's a historic concrete arch bridge located in Mahoning Township, Pennsylvania.
This bridge was built a long time ago, in 1922. It stretches about 220 feet (67 meters) and has three main sections. The longest part, called the main span, is about 128 feet (39 meters) long. It crosses over the Pittsburg and Shawmut Railroad tracks.
Because of its history and design, the Colwell Cut Viaduct was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Contents
What is an Arch Bridge?
An arch bridge gets its strength from its curved shape, like a rainbow. This shape helps to spread out the weight of the road and anything on it. It pushes the weight outwards to the supports at each end.
Why are Arch Bridges Strong?
Arch bridges are very strong because of how they handle pressure. The arch shape turns downward forces into outward forces. This pushes the weight into the ground or into strong foundations.
Building the Colwell Cut Viaduct
The Colwell Cut Viaduct was built in 1922. It was designed by a company called Concrete Steel Bridge Co. They used concrete, which is a very strong building material.
What is an Open-Spandrel Arch?
The Colwell Cut Viaduct is an "open-spandrel arch" bridge. This means that the space between the main arch and the road above it is open. You can see through it, or it has smaller arches or columns. This design helps to make the bridge lighter.
A Historic Landmark
The Colwell Cut Viaduct is an important part of local history. It shows how bridges were built in the early 1900s. Being on the National Register of Historic Places helps protect it for future generations.
